Dennis Day
Despite losing more than 80 years of experience via the retirement of two of its committee men, the Goulburn Harness Racing Club has never been in better shape.
That’s the opinion of the outgoing President, Dennis Day, and his Vice President, Ray Moroney, following their decisions to step down from the committee at the Club’s AGM held September 11, allowing a changing of the guard for the Southern Tablelands club in NSW.
Both men have overseen the rise of Goulburn harness racing at a critical juncture, when the club moved from virtually no racing to hosting the 10 to 12 meetings per year it currently does, while doubling as a training centre for harness horses numbering in excess of 100.
Both he and Moroney were heartened that the new committee was comprised of young blood that boasted enthusiasm and bright ideas.
“We needed to look into the future and it’s great to see that we now have committee members onboard that are 2025 savvy. Technology, youth, and social media play a big part in harness racing today, and the best way to get more people to the track and involved is by having a young committee to attract and lead them. They are the future,” Moroney stressed.
The executive committee is now comprised of Josh Stapleton as the new President. Long term member Bruce Knight is his deputy; Milly Hewitt, a chartered accountant and wife of leading trainer/driver Brad Hewitt is Treasurer; and Mark Croatto continues as the Secretary/Manager.
Josh & Jessica Stapleton with daughters Maggie, Dulcie and Penelope
The executive committee will be supported by eight ordinary committee members who possess a balance of youth and experience.
Leading trainers Neil Day, David and Brad Hewitt, continue on as do David Day and Luke O’Brien. They are joined by new committee members Miss Mackenzie Atkinson, Miss Haylee Day and Mr Michael Stapleton.
“Josh is the ideal person to lead us into a new era. He is part of the management team at ARW Multi Group, a leading construction contractor in Goulburn, and brings extensive experience dealing with Council and contractors for large construction projects. They’re important qualities, the type you need for good leadership in a club wanting to grow,” said Croatto.
“Also, Josh has widespread harness racing experience and I’m sure his skills and enthusiasm will have a ripple effect on our new-look youthful committee,” added Croatto.
Stapleton, along with his good mate Brad Hewitt, created the Goulburn-based ‘Triple Play Syndicate’ which kicked off with the prolific winner Our Triple Play. The group now owns the Inter Dominion contender, Captains Knock, with dozens of horses and many winners in between.
“Brad and his family got me involved in harness racing and I am very proud to now be the President of the Goulburn Harness Racing Club” said Stapleton, who is married to Jessica. The couple have three daughters – Maggie (8), Penelope (6), and Dulcie (5).
The committee has also been bolstered by three new members; Miss Mackenzie Atkinson, Miss Haylee Day and Mr Michael Stapleton.
“Mackenzie and Haylee are great additions to the committee” said Croatto.
“They’re youthful and energetic, and between them they bring strong understanding and experience with social media, digital data processing, marketing, graphic design and organisation, yet both young ladies have a solid grounding in the practicalities of training and racing horses” added Croatto.
“Mick Stapleton, our third new committee member, is that person every club would cherish. He is the jack of all trades; always there, always willing, and always available when needed, so I am thrilled that he has now taken that extra step and got on board with the committee” said Croatto.
“It will be a hard act to follow because Dennis, while very modest and quiet, has been the driving force to this club. He shuns the spot light and attention, but he’s always to the fore when it comes to the interests of the club and any works the track and facilities require” said Croatto.
“His stepping down came as a surprise to me, but he’s been at it for a long time, and he’s deserving of an easier time now” added Croatto
Meanwhile, Day reflected on the path the Goulburn Club had taken over the last few decades.
“I’m proud of the progress we have made. We went from a handful of meetings in 2007 on behalf of the Canberra Club, to the stage where we are now racing ten times or more per season. Hopefully we continue to be granted more meetings,” said Day
“Our facilities are very good. Through the hard work of our members, and Goulburn Mulwaree Council, along with Harness Racing NSW and the NSW Government, we have managed to come from a small and tight training and trialling track, to racing on a state-of-the-art 1050 metre course which is equal to any non-metropolitan track in the country. The cambered 14 percent bends were built by the late Graeme Maher of East End Engineering in Victoria. They are a real credit to his ingenuity and design,” Day added.
“And now we’re focussed on building permanent on-course stables. I believe the place will surge as there are trainers wanting to move here. Housing is a lot cheaper than in Sydney, and that alone is a big incentive,” Day said.
“While we currently have 18 permanent stables that we rent from Council, the Goulburn Council has recently completed a master plan for the Recreation Area where the track is situated, and we are very pleased that it includes provisions for greatly expanded permanent stabling and race day stalls,” explained Day.
“Goulburn is the perfect base; it’s an easy 90 minutes to Menangle, a little less than three hours to Bathurst and Wagga, and Canberra, which races 18 times per year, is only 45 minutes down the road” the 57-year-old added.
Echoing Croatto’s comments, Day, said now is the time to engage with the younger generation.
“We have to before it’s too late. They are our future and can bring a younger and new group of people to the track. Family is a big part of Goulburn’s success and we want to ensure that tradition lives on. I believe this new committee has the credentials to do exactly this,” said Day.
“I’ve had my time, and now it’s appropriate to let some new blood with fresh ideas have a go. Mackenzie Atkinson’s idea of a ‘Disabled Persons Day’ in December is proof of this. We need more of this forward thinking and initiative,” Day added.
Day, who has been on and off the Goulburn HRC committee for about 40 years, was first voted in as President in 2006, following a period as club treasurer.
The club’s outgoing Vice President, long-time committee man, and former President, Ray Maroney, couldn’t make the September 11 AGM, due to being in hospital, but was delighted with the young and enthusiastic new-look team that had been voted in.
Like his former President, Moroney spent more than five decades serving the harness racing public of Goulburn.
“Sadly, I was in hospital with an infected elbow, but I was very pleased with the new line-up. In my early days as President, we struggled to get people to stand on the committee, so this is heartening. I’m 78 now and have had my time”
“I have seen many changes over the years, and I can now proudly say the Goulburn track is right up there with Wagga, Bathurst, and any country track in the country. I think the track is now as good as any non-metropolitan racetrack in Australia.
To top it off, we are now getting great fields, and to be honest I think the Club is also in the best state it has ever been,” Goulburn-based Moroney stressed.
“Dennis has done a big job over the years” added the man who owned and bred 1982 Miracle Mile winner, Gundary Flyer.
